In Ware, Clark faces toughest assignment

Good Morning, Broncos fans! Chris Clark is off to a fine start as Denver's starting left tackle in place of Ryan Clady.

So far, he's faced off against Oakland's Lamarr Houston and a group of Eagles edge defenders led by Trent Cole.

But tomorrow comes his stiffest test yet, if not of the season: Cowboys linebacker and all-time leading sack man DeMarcus Ware (if you're wondering, KC's Justin Houston plays on the other side, so he figures to be Orlando Franklin's assignment).

According to Mike Klis, Denver figures to provide Clark with help in the form of tight ends and Knowshon Moreno. In other words, don't expect to see much of Montee Ball, or as much of Ronnie Hillman.

Fortunately for Clark and Moreno, Ware isn't at 100% health, as he dealt with a back strain last week and has also been limited by neck and shoulder stingers this season.

Film Breakdowns

Matt Schaub has thrown pick-sixes in three consecutive weeks, but while Texans fans are ready to run Schaub out of town on a rail, Doug Farrar says Kubes deserves some blame for a lack of diversity in the team's pass routes.

J.J. Cooper analyzes the trade acquisitions of Eugene Monroe and Levi Brown, and admires a creative blitz by the Chiefs against the Giants.

Maths

According to Keith Goldner's efficiency rankings, Peyton Manning is of course #1 among QBs, Knowshon Moreno is #5 among backs, and Demaryius Thomas is #7 among receivers.

Miscellany

Raiders fans will welcome Manti Te'o to the Black Hole tomorrow night (at nearly midnight ET) with a tribute to his late girlfriend.

Bill Simmons claims he'll lay up to 34.5 points with the Broncos against the Jags, but this week he goes with the Cowboys and shows us just how bitter he is about Denver's and Peyton Manning's success to this point.

Doug is IAOFM’s resident newsman and spelling czar. Follow him on Twitter @IAOFM

TJ reacts to the Broncos' 36-14 road victory over the Panthers in Week 10

With the great big smile on his face.

Posted by Yahmule on 2013-10-06 10:36:22

Not to mention Quanterus Smith. I can't wait to see them turn those young QB hunters loose next year.

Posted by Yahmule on 2013-10-06 10:35:39

LOL. Thanks for that. I knew something like that must be there, but I was too lazy to go look.

Posted by AldenBrown on 2013-10-06 09:41:35

Yes, and I bet we will be talking about the development of Lerentee McCray at this time next year. It is too bad that he got hurt, because I think he would have had a rotational role on the field like Trevathan last year. Fox seems to be adept at bringing players along with bite sized chunks of playing time.

Posted by Broncos777 on 2013-10-06 07:56:45

You're right on Point 9:

Bill Simmons: Over the past few weeks, I have become mildly obsessed with how this moment came to be -- and by moment, I mean "the chance to go 19-0" -- partly because everyone is dissecting the Patriots these days, and it's frustrating to hear dumb points or half-assed thoughts about my favorite team.

It would be just like the Broncos to turn Marshall into a player after the talent starved Jaguars gave up on him so quickly.

Posted by Yahmule on 2013-10-05 22:40:40

To me a pressure is just a turnover waiting to happen.

While I'd rather have sacks anyday, give me loads of pressures.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-10-05 22:13:19

Actually, I think the center totally booted it. He chipped in on his combo block then shifted to his right, became the third man in a chain watching the tackle take the DE back behind the pocket and totally missed seeing the free rusher until too late. If 63 had been maintaining his responsibilities (or been a bit faster), he would have had an easy pancake block.

Posted by DCJ1 on 2013-10-05 22:03:55

Malik Jackson has been very impressive for a second year player. Who knows if Sly Williams will pan out, but Jackson is another good example of a DL taking some time to develop, but, most importantly, doing so.

If he isn't already, Johnson seems like the next player to break out. He doesn't seem to be the type to have the coverage skills or mobility to play WLB. He seems a little stiff and reminds me more of Irving. We are probably lucky to have a player like him as a backup SLB or MLB.

I am worried about Trevathan or Woodyard going down. I don't think we have anyone else with their coverage skills in the LB corps. The fact that they are interchangeable, probably helps explain why their inside blitzes are so effective. Teams probably don't have any idea which one has coverage responsibility on any given down. I wish we had a third WLB in their mold for depth. Maybe it is Brandon Marshall?

Posted by Broncos777 on 2013-10-05 19:32:39

I believe you'll find your points answered in numbers (1) and (4) above. Look, I have no problem reading legitimate, intelligent criticism of the Broncos. In fact, I usually find it informative. But the Simmons piece is inane nonsense from a canting hypocrite.

Posted by AldenBrown on 2013-10-05 19:29:12

Nobody's stopping him from having an opinion. We're just voicing our opinion that his opinion is full of shit.

Posted by John Tomasik on 2013-10-05 18:44:36

Jackson was a real steal at a 5th round pick. Coaching 'em up! He put on some size and muscle in the off-season. He will contribute or a long time and push for lots of pt. Both of these guys are a credit to this team.

Posted by BlackKnigh on 2013-10-05 18:27:15

Just landed in Dallas. Can't wait to see the game. Look for me on tv, I'll be the one in a Broncos jersey :)

Posted by iowabronco on 2013-10-05 17:52:53

FWIW perhaps those teams we have played are not as good as we thought intially but after a dose of Manning even they lost any self respect and confidence in themselves. I prefer to think of there beat downs as a road map for every other DC to follow.

We shall see if Kiffen can slow him down.

So far PM has gotten better in each quarter of ever game. Saw a QBR by quarter he started out at 104 and got better each one till the fourth at 149.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-10-05 17:41:52

In 2012, Jackson was on the field for 123 snaps and ended with a rating of -1.2. This year he's already at 129 snaps with a +1.9 rating. He's gone from 1 hit and 2 hurries over 2012 to 2 hits and 9 hurries in 4 games. I'm with you - I look forward to the sacks, but taking your total pressures up by nearly 400% in a single quarter of play is pretty cool.

Man, we've got a lot of players stepping up big time!

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-10-05 17:26:53

Yeah, I know he was with the Ravens, but was wondering whether he was hurt this year. Thought he was.

Posted by John Tomasik on 2013-10-05 16:57:56

I'm going to have to pay attention to Malik Jackson. Maybe now I have the skills and knowledge on how to watch tape, I'll analyze him

Posted by Mike Birtwistle on 2013-10-05 16:51:42

By Baltimore

Posted by Hank Mardukis on 2013-10-05 16:36:15

I forgot, was he hobbled with injury?

Posted by John Tomasik on 2013-10-05 16:34:26

I don't know - the guy has the right to have an opinion, even if it's illogical. Why get all riled up about it? I don't think that you can argue with the fact that the teams the Broncos have played so far are (to put it mildly) not very good. Same thing with the Kansas City team (no nickname). Of course it doesn't tell us how good the Broncos will be at the end of the year when it counts.

It seems like unless every writer says this year's Broncos are the greatest of all time, half the people here are ready to kill somebody. The offensive statistics are great, but they don't mean anything. I mean, the TD record Manning might break tomorrow is held by Daunte Culpepper. Think about that. Ask the formerly 18-0 Patriots how they liked their records, after they lost the Super Bowl.

That's why they play the games.

Posted by billyricky on 2013-10-05 15:55:17

;0P

Posted by Chris Nigro on 2013-10-05 15:54:46

Stokley released.

Posted by Hank Mardukis on 2013-10-05 15:44:26

I like when he tweets stuff about the NBA like - "PS: I will never like July 27th. It will always be the day Reggie died. I just hate this day. True Celtic fans know what I mean" - because mixing totally fake sentimentality with dickish snobbery defines everything there is to know about Bill Simmons.

Posted by Yahmule on 2013-10-05 15:04:48

Bill Simmons went all in on the Manning will never be the same stuff, and he's apparently not willing to admit he was wrong. Simmons is a lot better off covering the NBA where he has some knowledge his football stuff has always been biased and lacking.

Posted by Andrew on 2013-10-05 14:07:02

(sarcasm) You can make that check out to Pub Keeper, w 3 e's. (/sarcasm)

Posted by pubkeeper on 2013-10-05 14:05:09

I love seeing how much Malik Jackson is contributing. I can't wait for some of those qb pressures to start turning into sacks.

Posted by Andrew on 2013-10-05 14:00:30

Although the blitz noted by the Chefs was pretty cool (Abdullah moving in on the tackle like that was a nice move to open up the end), seemed to me that Eli contributed to the problem by not anticipating where Meyers was going and passing there. His pass lane was blocked if he passed too early, but a fraction of a second delay, and he could've got it to Meyers. Manning's no Manning, that's for sure.

Posted by John Tomasik on 2013-10-05 12:05:42

Steven Johnson competes like a guy who's trying to force his way into more playing time. Walked on @ Kansas where he earned a scholarship and recognition as a team captain. Undrafted free agent who made the roster in 2011 by leading the team in tackles during the pre season. Now he's a special teams demon and a big contributor to that unit's remarkable success. The depth on this team is really incredible.

Malik Jackson just strikes me as a guy will keep getting better and better. He fits the classic mold of the Bronco defensive lineman in the John Elway Era. Big, strong, versatile and team oriented.

Posted by Yahmule on 2013-10-05 11:49:55

A person will be a bazillionare if they devise a sarcasm font....lol.

Posted by John Tomasik on 2013-10-05 11:40:59

I'm trying to imagine a set of circumstances that would make me feel sorry for Bill Simmons.

Accidentally disemboweling himself with a chainsaw?

No, that would be hilarious.

Assaulted by scores of horny spider monkeys during mating season?

No, while disturbing to watch, it would be totally justified. And I would watch every second.

Um, damn, let me think....no....nope....too painless....not humiliating enough....sorry, I just can't come up with a scenario.

Posted by Yahmule on 2013-10-05 11:15:20

The only issue I have with your post is that you wasted quality opinion in reply to the moron's comments.

...we can have fun with his Twitter account tomorrow night, though.... :-)

Posted by John Tomasik on 2013-10-05 11:13:30

Damn, what a f***ing idiot Bill Simmons is. Slanted journalism is such an enjoyable part of America these days. *Sarcasm*

Posted by 53guys on 2013-10-05 10:54:25

Rapoccio's artistry is pretty gummy, I have to admit...

Posted by 53guys on 2013-10-05 10:40:37

Well put, sir! I almost feel bad for Simmons that he has to write about the NFL. And his predictive ability in NFL games is a joke- I think he even intends for his NFL game picks to be a joke. He should stick to the NBA.

Posted by MississippiMudWalk on 2013-10-05 10:24:45

/slow clap

Posted by booboodevo on 2013-10-05 09:49:01

My response to Bill Simmons:1. If what the Broncos are doing right now is not impressive because of the level of competition they've faced, why has no team done it before? When another team accomplishes what Denver has done over these past four games, get back to me and we'll have this conversation.2. Who says the Broncos are "peaking"? They've won 17 straight regular season games by more than a touchdown. That's not peaking, it's sustained excellence. Also, do you think the Broncos will be a worse team when Von Miller and Champ Bailey return?3. Better to be peaking in September 2013 than September 2007.4. What can the media write about except for what is currently happening? If all that is worth talking about is winning the Super Bowl, then we might as well shut down all NFL journalism until February.5. Oh, we should be a smash mouth running team instead of an elite passing juggernaut? Because that's what wins championships? Send the me the statistics on that when you have time.6. Manning used to be the QB of a dome team, and played his high school and college ball in the south. Now he's the QB of the Denver Broncos.7. Nice to know that you can tell us the temperature and the weather conditions four months in advance. I'm usually pleasantly surprised if a forecast is correct three days in advance.8. Manning played well enough in the frigid cold last year to win. It wasn't his best game, but his stats were good, and we would not be having this conversation if Moore would have been at the right depth.9. I'll bet if I go back to the columns you wrote in 2007, I'll find that these are just the same kinds of things you were writing about the Patriots' record setting offense. Right?10. In other words, Bill Simmons, you are just full of shit.